Process for preparing 0,0-diaryl N,N-dialkyl phosphoramidates

A method for preparing O,O-diaryl N,N-dialkyl phosphoramidates which comprises reacting a phenol of the formula:

• ##SPC5##
• wherein R.sub.1 -R.sub.5 independently represent hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl and hydroxy alkyl, chlorine or bromine with an N,N-dialkyl phosphoamidic halide of the formula:
• ##SPC6## wherein R.sub.6 and R.sub.7 represent the same or different C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl radicals, R.sub.1 -R.sub.5 are as defined hereinbefore, a is a number equal to 1 or 0 and Hal is a halogen of chlorine or bromine;
• said reaction being conducted in the presence of an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal hydroxide in an amount at least stoichiometrically equivalent to the phenol, said hydroxide being used in concentrations of from 50 to 100% by weight, the remainder being composed of water;
• and a substantially water-insoluble, water-immiscible, non-hydroxylic, polar ketone which is a solvent for said phenol, said halide and phosphoramidate;
• said ketone being selected from the group consisting of ketones defined by the formula:
• R.sub.x C(O)R.sub.y
• wherein R.sub.x represents a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group and R.sub.y represents a C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 alkyl and alicyclic ketones of the formula:
• CH.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.n C O
• wherein n is an integer of 4 or 5 and the lower alkyl substituted derivatives thereof;
• the total number of carbon atoms of said ketone not exceeding 10.